Randy's Blog

Senior Survey - What are the issues most important to you?

Posted by
Randy
|
July 31, 2013

Seniors are not just a group of people. They are our mothers and fathers, former teachers, pastors, and mentors. They’ve shaped our lives in so many ways. But today, many of our seniors are worried that the government will place the burden of our fiscal challenges on them.

It is true that, as a nation, we are in tough fiscal times; however, any solutions to restore this country to a path of fiscal prosperity cannot come at an unacceptable price to our seniors.

As questions remain regarding implementation of the healthcare law, and Congress continues to debate this year’s budget and ways to reduce the nation’s $16.7 trillion debt, what are the issues that are most important to you?

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What do you think? Weigh in:

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Comments

Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.

Darlene Treadway
commented on
7/31/2013

I'm quite concerned over the NSA spying scandal and why the Congress voted to let them continue to do so. It is none of the Government's business who I call and talk to since I live in the U.S. and only make calls to U.S. citizens, mostly family. I don't understand why the House, you included, voted to let this arrogance stand. I'm tired of Government intervention in my life and regtulations, such as Obamacare, which is going to make my old age more worrisome with the IPAB telling me what I can and can't have done as my old age makes necessary. I'm just tired overall at the whole of Congress and the lack of their not trying to help the citizens with our concerns. The entitlement society is going to guarantee Democrats stay in power forever now. And with the proposed immigration laws, they will most definitely vote Democratic forever if they get what they want.

Russ Kingery
commented on
7/31/2013

Defund Obamacare
Stop all pending regulations, de-regulate back to 2008 level
Re-institute Glass/Steagall
Scrap the tax code and institute a Flat or FairTax
Shut down the Federal Reserve
Protect the borders. Follow existing law for immigration, stop visa overstays.
Make it illegal to unionize civil servants including teachers and USPS
Honor, protect and defend the Constitution
Change NSA guidelines and stop all domestic spying and from obtaining masses amounts of data from citizens
Open up all government land for energy exploration
Balance the budget with a 5 year plan
Take IRS auditors freed up from a flat tax and have them aggressively pursue waste, fraud and abuse of existing entitlement programs.
Revise entitlement programs where all able people 45 years and less are required to work or loss of benefits after 1 year.
I could go on, but you get the point. Unless we are serious about the above changes, working around the edges will not work. We have a 17 trillion dollars debt, yearly deficit spending, unfunded entitlement spending and a derivatives bubble that is ready to pop. You can help by cleaning out the "rats nest" in DC and joining Steve Stockman out of TX by voting to protect this Republic.

Dewitt Morris
commented on
7/31/2013

I am a 90 year old Retired . veteran of WWII and Vietnam wars. I am concerned about our 2nd Amendment that the UN or Loyalist to the present regime will come for my only means of providing safety for my family. The Bible tells me God's law exceeds that of civil law when providing spiritual safety,food,shelter. and defense for my family. Our law makers need to stand up and demand this. God's law supersedes civil law.(Reference 1 Tim 5:8); luke 11:21)

James Farley Sr.
commented on
7/31/2013

My highest priority is to abolish Obamacare to help reduce the deficit and further reduce spending in other ways to reduce the deficit and our national debt of over 17 Trillion. If we don't do this we will in a very few months get another credit downgrade. Several countries and the IMF want to replace the dollar as the world exchange currency and it will happen within a few years if we do not reduce spending drastically. What is Congress doing to prevent this from happening. I would venture to say nothing and Congress will let Obama spend Billions more now that he is campaigning on fixing the economy. He has spent trillions in the name of the economy but it went to his union thugs and not to help the economy.

Gregg J
commented on
7/31/2013

Lift the payroll tax cap to $250K funding both social security and medicare. The longer congress waits to act the higher the tax cap will have to go. Do not change the way COLA is calculated. This does nothing but squeeze the most vulnerable citizens in our nation finanically in their golden years. Balancing the budget on the backs of seniors and the disabled is despicable. Looking to save money, close corporate tax loopholes. We have the highest corporate tax rate in the world...this is a half truth republican talking point. The other half of this statement is, we have the second lowest effective corporate tax rate in the world. Close these ridiculous corporate tax loopholes that are bankrupting our country.

James Farley Sr.
commented on
7/31/2013

My top priority is to abolish Obamacare because it is going to drive health care cost much higher and add significantly to our deficit. We must balance the budget and start working on the 17 trillion national debt. When Obama was reelected several countries met to discuss replacing the dollar as the world reserve currency. The IMF would like to replace the dollar with another currency. Obama is now campaigning wanting to spend more money on the economy. He spent nearly 2 trillion he said for the economy but it went to his union buddies-not to the economy. There is talk of another credit downgrade in a few months. What is congress doing to try to save the dollar as the world reserve currency and our deficit. I see deficits as long as Obama is in office and losing the dollar as the world reserve currency and we become Greece.

James Farley Sr.
commented on
7/31/2013

My top priority is deficits and the ever growing national debt of over 17 trillion. the IMF and other countries want to replace the dollar as the world reserve currency for trade. There is concern that in a few months we will get another credit downgrade because we are doing nothing to bring spending under control. Many believe in a couple of years the dollar will be replaced as the world reserve currency for trade because it continues to go down in value. What actions is congress taking to avoid a credit downgrade and our dollar not being replaced and us becoming another Greece. If the dollar is replaced we can no longer print Billions each month and we will be like Greece. Obama is out campaigning to spend a lot of money on the economy and he has already spent over a trillion he said was for the economy but it did not go to the economy-it went to his union friends.

Angel Pla
commented on
7/31/2013

The most important issue for us, seniors, is the increase in Medicare premiums. However most other issues listed in your survey are also important. Congress should not just target seniors as part of reducing the nation’s debt. Seniors are growing in numbers as a result of the baby boom of the 1950’s. Most of us are reaching our retirement age. Some of us would prefer keep on working, for various reasons. However, I feel the real culprit of our financial dilemma was the failure of Government to plan long range. Government kept increasing spending based on the economy without really analyzing the long range effects of such actions. And try to keep the electorate happy by reducing taxes. Well all of it is crushing all of us know. We need to curtail spending and use good old common sense to solve this problem. There is no magic bullet. We paid into the system thinking that when we were to retire the insurance will help us to maintain our quality of life. But fraud and inconsistencies have wreaked havoc in the system. We pardon other countries debt to us and help other countries get out of trouble, yet I feel Congress is saying we can not help our people, particularly seniors who worked and maintained this country of ours! That is totally unsatisfactory! We need to come together and provide for those who helped with their hard work for this our country.

thomas g
commented on
7/31/2013

Survey? Are you serious congressman? You need to show up sir at a town hall meeting. You have ducked this for years now and I was shocked, just shocked to call your office today, on the last day of July and NOBODY could provide a place, date, or time for a town hall where we can counsel you sir. There are so many issues we need to counsel you on congressman. You already know that this congress has performed pathetically. You guys are harming the nation, and you won't even show up for our questions??? A survey? This is just pathetic Mr. Forbes. It is absolutely pathetic.

Robert Timmons
commented on
7/31/2013

1. Repeal Obamacare in toto. No substitutions at this time.
2. If unsuccessful with #1, Defund the whole thing.

Larry Collins
commented on
7/31/2013

I believe we (the country) need the 535 Americans we elected to focus on jobs and the economic welfare of our country. There is no need for government 'welfare' you mentioned in your email. All those programs lead to more and more deficit spending. The sequester and continuing resolutions are clear proof of the failure of the entire congress. Those of you elected to office were hired by the voters to care for the country the defend the constitution and separation of government.
No more wars. No more CRs. No more taxes hikes. No more class warfare. Take a stand and remember you oath of office.
Congressman, stand up and do the right thing. We don't need career politicians....we need your vote to stand up for our country. I am available to help you. No more government program....jobs and sound money management.

Susan Lane
commented on
7/31/2013

I have worked in the medical field for over 35 years and see less and less of the decisions for our health care in the hands of the consumer (us the PATIENT). It is the doctors recommendation and the insurances review of if or not it will be covered or approved. I feel strongly that the government added into the equation will only make matters worse. In all other industries (and medicine is an industry...one of the largest) the consumer drives supply, quality and demand. There are too many wanting all an insurance will pay for ... test, name brand Rx and a visit for simple problems to an emergency room. If individuals had an HSA (Health Savings Account) and clearer options and costs associated with those services or supplies the consumer would be better prepared to make decisions...not insurance companies. If you want a $800 presciption when a $10 over the counter option is available that is your choice, but you are not "entitled" to all the government or insurance company will pay....CONSUMERS need to be IN CONTROL of their own health and health care!

harold williams
commented on
8/3/2013

There are many issues that worry me concerning government, but related to healthcare: The growing intrusion of government into healthcare (or any other sector) cannot end in success. A system such as national healthcare is too complex for some technocrats to control. Haven't we seen enough historical examples of this? Overspending on Medicare/Medicaid will lead to insolvency. Data collection can be used by out-of-control Federal agencies to abuse Federal power (IRS, FEC). Regulations are killing us and the economy. The employer-healthcare insurer link has created an environment whereby consumers are not at all cost conscious. The best solution for the country is to back government out of healthcare in a predictable, time-sensitive way that permits natural readjustments to happen.

SALLIE BROWN
commented on
8/5/2013

Hello Forbes, I have written you several times and you or your staff always send me a standard letter with the same wording. Do you not read the e-mails. MY BIGGEST WORRY IS SOCIAL SECURITY. MY HLUSBAND AND I ARE DISABLED AND IN OUR 60+ THIS IS THE ONLY INCOME WE HAVE TO LIVE ON. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO WORK DUE TO NO FAULT ON US. SOCIAL SECURITY HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS. WE HAVE PAID INTO SS SINCE WE STARTED WORKING. SS IS NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDED IT IS SELF STANDING. A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR US WHEN WE GOT OLDER. WE ARE THERE NOW. THE PRESIDENT WHO CANNOT COMPREHEND NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONIES TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE, MANY LIKE YOU AND THOSE IN CONGRESS OR RICH PEOPLE. WE ARE THANKFULL THAT WE CAN WAKE UP EACH MORNING. PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE AWAY WHAT WE WORKED SO HARD ALL OF OUR LIFE. I HONESTLY THINK PRESIDENT O. HAS NO CARE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO PAY HIS SALARLY. WE ARE TAXED AND PAYING THERE SALARY. WHY WON'T ANYONE LISTEN TO THOSE WHO PAID IN ALL OF THERE LIFE????????????

Sumant Kaul
commented on
9/24/2013

All are essential. We need a better health care system and it need more improvement.
http://www.internationalhealingfoundation.com/content.aspx?page=2